Author : Shelby Tatomir

Samantha Levine launched her branded jewelry line, Auburn Jewelry, in 2012. She’s since found a niche in combining sterling silver, 14k gold, and enamel in one-of-a-kind pieces, employing monograms, silhouettes and logos into her necklaces and keychains. She first learned about metalsmithing in high school, and her passion developed when she minored in studio art with a […]

This series of interviews explores some of the stories from the #RioJeweler community. #RioJeweler is a way for jewelers to share moments from the bench on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Designers from around the world use the hashtag to chronicle their stories, their work and their lives as jewelers. We’re looking forward to exploring stories from […]

Gemologist Shannon Demoulin has been a part of the Rio Grande gemology department since 1990 and has been integral to its evolution into a boutique, concierge service that offers each customer one-on-one, personal service in selecting the right stone. Shannon chose to become a jeweler because she was passionate about hands-on artistic creation but wanted to do […]

Wingostarr Jewelry is made up of Mallory Wingo and Jason Self. They’ve been together for seven years, have a 4-year-old little girl and have been making a living off of their jewelry designs for two years. They make electro-formed and wire-wrapped jewelry together full time in their small home in Georgia and have amassed a social […]

Chris Hoffman, one of Rio Grande’s resident gemologists, has worked alongside jewelers for most of his adult life. When he was 19, he answered an ad in the paper for a jewelry salesperson. “I didn’t know about anything, but the guy hired me,” he says, “My very first sale was a pair of garnet earrings, […]

Michelle Fernandez, the jeweler behind MeShe Designs, has one of the most well-known social media presences in the #RioJeweler family. What began as a sharing experience has grown into an avenue where she helps other jewelers learn from her mistakes – and her triumphs. In an industry that often clutches to technical and business knowledge […]

With the launch of our new diamond-buying portal, the Rio Diamond Source, we’re sharing the stories of customers who have depended on our graduate gemologists for the stones that make their pieces come to to life. Tim has been ordering diamonds from Shannon, on our gemstones team, for more than 20 years. He shares his story below. Tim […]

This new Rio Jeweler blog series explores some of the stories from the #RioJeweler community. #RioJeweler is a way for jewelers to share moments from the bench on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Designers from around the world use the hashtag to chronicle their stories, their work and their lives as jewelers. We couldn’t be more amazed […]

Ana Cavalheiro pondered exposing the space behind the jeweler for years. Something about the creative area where a person’s inspiration comes to life compelled her—it stuck in her mind. But, as a busy jeweler herself, she couldn’t find the time to get the concept down on paper, or rather, up online. She finally launched SpaceUnseen.com […]

The members of our Jewelry Tech Team are our in-house jewelry making experts. Combined, they’ve been working in the jewelry industry for more than 100 years, and they’ve accumulated a vast amount of knowledge and know-how that they love to share. Here, we’ve collected their book recommendations and created a little holiday reading list for jewelers. […]

Madison Hampton is a twenty-something metalsmith who follows her passion for jewelry-making in an intriguing manner. She, her boyfriend Gage, and their dog Tobin live in a Chevy Express van, traveling the country and literally chasing after whatever they find most inspiring. From coast to coast, they drive until they reach new and […]

Rio Grande’s Blog

Welcome to Rio Grande's Blog, a meeting place for those who, like all of us at Rio Grande, share a passion for making jewelry.

This little corner of the web is your opportunity to meet and visit with our experts and the experts who are our friends and partners. Come by often and see what’s new. Offer your take on the latest and greatest in your shop or studio.

Whether you’re just starting out or are always on the prowl for a new idea or inspiration, we look forward to getting to know you!